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0717-3644
0718-221X

Maderas. Ciencia y tecnologa 11(1): 71-84, 2009

BENDING STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS OF POLES

OF ARGENTINEAN Eucalyptus grandis
Torrn E.A2, Sosa Zitto M.A.2, Cotrina A.D.2, Piter J.C.1

ABSTRACT
The present paper reports the results of an investigation regarding the determination of bending
strength and stiffness in full-size poles of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis. The importance of accurately knowing the mechanical properties of this material has increased with the increasing demand of
utility poles of this species and with the use of modern procedures aimed at achieving a reliable and
economical structural design. For this purpose an empirical research project with two samples containing new, green, untreated poles was carried out according to the procedures adopted by both the American standard ASTM D 1036 (2005) and the Argentinean standard IRAM 9529 (2004) for cantilever
bending tests. Sample 1 enclosed 14 year-old poles with nominal length of 12 m and Sample 2 enclosed
11 year-old poles with nominal length of 8 m. The results found for the average circumference taper
were similar to the values adopted by the American standard ANSI 05.1 (2002) and knot dimensions
as well as knot ratio compared well with those permitted by this standard. The mean value found for
maximum fibre stress at ground line reached 62.9 N/mm2 for Sample 1 and 56.3 N/mm2 for Sample 2.
These strength results are relatively high in comparison with values reported for seasoned sawn timber
of the same species and they compare well with those published by the American standard ANSI 05.1c
(2004) for poles of different species. Both samples showed a coefficient of variation of 13 % for strength at ground line which is relatively low in comparison with those adopted by the American standard
and may be considered an advantage of this material for structural purposes. The mean value found
for modulus of elasticity reached 10935 N/mm2 for Sample 1 and 9546 N/mm2 for Sample 2, with a
coefficient of variation of 14 % for both cases. Results also revealed significant differences between
mechanical properties values corresponding to the two samples containing poles with different sizes
and age. The correlation coefficient between knot ratio and strength showed the insignificant values
of 0.09 and 0.02 for Sample 1 and 2 respectively, and the corresponding results between modulus of
elasticity and strength were 0.52 and 0.37.
Keywords: poles, Eucalyptus grandis, strength and stiffness

RESUMEN
En el presente trabajo se presentan los resultados de una investigacin orientada a determinar la
resistencia y la rigidez de postes de Eucalyptus grandis de Argentina. La importancia de conocer con
precisin las propiedades mecnicas de este material cobr mayor relevancia con la creciente demanda
de postes de esta especie y con la adopcin de modernos procedimientos de clculo orientados a lograr
un diseo estructural confiable y econmico. Con este fin se llev a cabo un proyecto emprico que
abarc dos muestras de postes en tamao estructural, nuevos y sin tratamientos, los cuales se ensayaron
en estado verde conforme a los procedimientos establecidos en la norma estadounidense ASTM D 1036
(2005) y en la Argentina IRAM 9529 (2004) para pruebas en voladizo. La muestra 1 incluy postes

Director del Grupo de Estudio de Maderas (GEMA), Depto. Ing. Civil, Facultad Regional C. del Uruguay, Universidad Tecnolgica Nacional.
Calle Ing. Pereira 676, (E3264BTD) Concepcin del Uruguay, Entre Ros, Argentina.
Investigadores del Grupo de Estudio de Maderas (GEMA).
Corresponding author: piterj@frcu.utn.edu.ar
Received: 27.05.2008. Accepted: 19.01.2009

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con 12 m de longitud nominal y una edad de 14 aos, y la muestra 2 estuvo compuesta por postes con
8 m de longitud nominal y una edad de 11 aos. Los valores promedio encontrados para la conicidad
fueron similares a los adoptados por la norma ANSI 05.1 (2002) y tanto el tamao de los nudos como
la nudosidad compararon bien con los valores permitidos por esta norma. El valor medio de la tensin
de rotura en la lnea de empotramiento fue de 62,9 N/mm2 para la Muestra 1 y de 56,3 N/mm2 para la
Muestra 2. Estos resultados son relativamente altos en comparacin con los publicados para madera
aserrada de la misma especie ensayada en estado seco y son comparables a los adoptados por la norma
ANSI 05.1c (2004) para postes de diferentes especies. Ambas muestras exhibieron un coeficiente de
variacin de 13 % para la resistencia en la lnea de empotramiento, valor que es relativamente bajo en
comparacin con los adoptados por la norma estadounidense y puede ser considerado una ventaja del
material para uso estructural. El valor medio del mdulo de elasticidad alcanz 10935 N/mm2 para la
muestra 1 y 9546 N/mm2 para la muestra 2, con un coeficiente de variacin de 14 % en ambos casos.
Los resultados tambin pusieron de manifiesto diferencias significativas entre los valores de las propiedades mecnicas de ambas muestras, integradas por postes de diferentes edades y dimensiones. El
coeficiente de correlacin entre la nudosidad y la resistencia alcanz los insignificantes valores de 0,09
para la muestra 1 y de 0,02 para la muestra 2, mientras que los valores correspondientes entre el mdulo
de elasticidad y la resistencia fueron 0,52 y 0,37.
Palabras clave: postes, Eucalyptus grandis, resistencia y rigidez.

INTRODUCTION
Eucalyptus grandis, which is mainly cultivated in the Mesopotamian provinces of Entre Ros and
Corrientes, is one of the most important renewable species cultivated in Argentina. There is an important domestic demand of utility poles for electric and phone structures and this material is sometimes
also requested from abroad. For purposes related to single-pole utility structures, these poles are normally separated in two different groups, based on their length. One group encloses the so-called long
poles, with a length ranging from 10 m to 15 m. The other group encloses the standard poles, which are
widely used and have a length ranging from 7 m to 9 m (INTA 1995). Apart from being a renewable
resource, round wood also gives a very good ecological balance, because sawing is not needed and the
use of primary energy is minimised (Winter 1995). Consequently, the use of this type of structures is
also convenient for taking care of environmental aspects.
The knowledge of bending strength and stiffness of this material is very important for a reliable and
economical design. The influence of growth and geometry characteristics on mechanical properties, as
well as the consideration of in-service moisture content are also very important for achieving a uniform
level of reliability of this type of structures. Traditionally, decisions related to strength values were
based on a combination of full-size pole test results and published small clear specimen strength values
(Wolfe et al. 2001). In spite of the importance of employing strength values determined on structuralsized poles, these data are not available in some countries and design is based on results obtained on
small clear specimen tests (Alves Dias et al. 2004).
Up to the present neither test series regarding the determination of bending strength and stiffness of
poles of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis in structural sizes has been published nor study regarding the
influence of the more important strength and stiffness reducing growth characteristics has been reported
for this material. As a consequence, the characteristic values of its mechanical properties are not well
known and it is not considered a reliable material. Data obtained from tests carried out on sawn timber
of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis in structural sizes are available (Piter et al. 2004a) and they may
be used as reference values when studying the pole properties of this species. However, since round
wood is only debarked, higher strength values can be expected for it than for sawn timber because the
material is left in a natural form and longitudinal fibres are not cut as in sawn timber (Winter 1995).
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With the purpose of studying the possibility of strength grading these poles, reports related to the
usefulness of visual as well as machine parameters for predicting the strength of this species were
analysed. Results of a project regarding the design of a method for visually strength grading sawn timber of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis show the influence of the more important strength and stiffness
reducing features (Piter et al. 2004a). This paper reports a relatively modest relationship between knot
ratio and bending strength in comparison with other timber species. It also informs that in many cases it
is impossible to distinguish the annual rings. Very low slope of grain was also found. Modulus of elasticity emerges as the most important grading parameter from a project regarding the design of a method
for machine strength grading sawn timber of this species (Piter et al. 2004b). A very good correlation
between this property and strength was found, which is only slightly lower than that obtained between
a combined parameter (modulus of elasticity with density and knot ratio) and strength.
Specifications providing material quality limitations, standard product sizes and strength and stiffness data are available in the American standards ANSI 05.1 (2002) and ANSI 05.1c (2004). The
testing methods adopted by both the American standard ASTM D 1036 (2005) and the Argentinean
standard IRAM 9529 (2004) cover testing procedures in sufficient detail so that they allow to obtain
comparable results.
The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the results of an investigation regarding the determination of bending strength and stiffness of full-size poles of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis. Additionally, to compare these results with those published by other researchers and standards and to analyse
the relationship between strength and both knot ratio and modulus of elasticity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two test samples containing new, green, untreated poles were utilised. One sample, taken from the
sub-population of the so-called long poles, enclosed 57 specimens with nominal length of 12 m which
were randomly selected from a 14 year-old plantation of Eucalyptus grandis (hereafter Sample 1). The
other sample, taken from the sub-population of the standard poles, enclosed 48 poles with nominal
length of 8 m which were randomly selected from an 11 year-old plantation of the same species (Sample 2). Both plantations were cultivated in Concordia, Entre Ros, which is one of the main provenance
for this species in Argentina (INTA 1995). After harvesting and peeling, the material was transported to
the test site in order to test all specimens in green condition.
Actual length and circumference at butt, at tip, at ground line, at loading point and at every
0.50 m from the butt were measured and recorded for each pole. Growth rings were measured at butt
and all prohibited or limited defects by the American standard ANSI 05.1 (2002) were registered. In
accordance with the criterion adopted by this standard, the dimension of a knot was considered equal to
its diameter on the surface of the pole measured in a direction at right angles to the lengthwise axis of
the pole. Dimension and location of all knots were taken and recorded. The following knot sizes were
particularly registered for each pole: i) the largest single knot (K) located in both the lower and the
upper half of pole length, and ii) the largest sum of knots in any 0.31 m of the length of the pole (SuK).
Knot ratio was expressed for each pole according to the following criterion: relation of the greatest
sum of knot in any 0.31 m of the length of the pole and the average circumference of the same 0.31 m
section (SuKR). No distinctions were made between different types of knots, and those with diameters
less than 13 mm were ignored. Spiral grain was determined by means of a swivel-handled scribe and
expressed as a ratio, disregarding local deviations.
After physical measurements and features were taken and recorded, cantilever bending tests were
carried out according to the procedures of the American standard ASTM D 1036 (2005) which were
also adopted by the Argentinean standard IRAM 9529 (2004). Each pole was placed in the testing appa73

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ratus so that its ground line coincided with the front face of the crib and then it was rotated to find the
best position for minimizing the out-of-plane stresses as prescribed. The ground line distance from butt
was equal to 1.8 m for the poles of Sample 1 and to 1.4 m for those of Sample 2. The loading point was
located at 0.6 m from the tip in all cases. Before loading, the actual distance from the ground line to the
loading point was taken and recorded for each pole. A rail was provided at a point about three quarters
of the distance from the ground line to the point of load application to minimize vertical movement at
that point and reduce the stress from the weight of the pole. This support was installed in such a way
that any friction associated with the deflection of the pole under load was not a significant portion of the
measured load on the pole. A schematic diagram of test setup may be appreciated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Test arrangement

Load was applied by means of a winch capable of pulling at a constant rate of speed. According to
the criterion of the American standard mentioned before, test speed reached 350 mm/min for poles of
Sample 1 and 150 mm/min for those of Sample 2. The winch was set far enough from the pole so that
the small angle between the initial and the final position of the pulling line may be disregarded. Load
was measured by means of a dynamometer of suitable capacity (50 kN) placed in series in the pulling
line and graduated in 0.1 kN. Deflections at loading point in the direction perpendicular to the initial
pole axis were measured by means of a tape capable of registering 1 mm and a datum board was also
utilised for facilitating the measurements. A minimum of 15 simultaneous readings of deflection and
load were taken at intervals of load equal to 0.5 kN. The lever arm shortening between the point of load
and both the ground line and the point of break was measured and registered for each pile.
The maximum fibre stress was calculated for each pole at ground line (F) and at breaking point (F b)
by using the formulae established in the American standard ASTM D 1036 (2005) as follows:
(1)
where:
P: load at failure, L: distance from ground line to point of load, L: lever arm shortening between
ground line and point of load, C: circumference at ground line.
(2)
where:
P: load at failure, a: distance from break to point of load, a: lever arm shortening between the point
of break and point of load, C a: circumference at point of break.

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The modulus of elasticity (E) was determined with the equation adopted by the American standard
mentioned before as follows:
(3)
where:
L: length from ground line to loading point, P: increment of load on the straight line portion of the
load deformation curve, : increment of deformation corresponding to P and corrected for movement at
point of support, A: radius of pole at ground line, B: radius of pole at point where load was applied.
Moisture content and density were determined according to the procedures established in ISO 3130
(1975) and ISO 3131 (1975) respectively, using a knot-free disk taken from the proximity of the breaking point after the static test. Minimum (Min), mean and maximum (Max) values as well as the coefficient of variation (COV) were calculated according to the standard procedures and the 5th percentile
was obtained by assuming a normal distribution.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Moisture content ranged between 37 % and 52 % with a mean value of 45 % for Sample 1 whereas
it ranged from 38 % to 55 % with a mean value of 47 % for Sample 2. These results confirm that all
poles presented moisture content above fibre-saturation point when they were loaded (Coronel 1994,
Hoffmeyer 1995). Density, determined with the values of moisture content mentioned before, showed
a mean value of 707 kg/m3 with a COV of 40 % for Sample 1. The corresponding values for Sample 2
were 682 kg/m3 and 41 %.
Table 1 exhibits the main results for circumference and length. The average circumference taper per
foot of length is an important value for calculating the load-carrying capability of poles according to
the American standard ANSI 05.1 (2002). A detailed analysis of the results presented in Table 1 showed
an average circumference taper (per 0.31 m of length) between butt and tip equal to 8 mm for Sample
1 and 6 mm for Sample 2 but these values varied within the length of the poles. The values obtained
between butt and ground line were 12 mm and 9 mm for Sample 1 and Sample 2, respectively, whereas
those calculated between ground line and tip reached 7 mm for Sample 1 and 5 mm for Sample 2. Apart
from the result obtained for the average circumference taper between butt and ground line in Sample
1 (12 mm), the values found in this research are similar to those adopted by the American standard,
which range between 5 mm and 10 mm for different species. This table also shows that circumference
exhibited much greater COV values for Sample 1 than for Sample 2. The important difference found
for the spread of circumference results corresponding to both samples may be explained by the fact that
long poles of this species are not available in great amount and they normally present a high variability
in dimensions in comparison with standard poles.
In many cases it was impossible to distinguish the annual rings, and slope of grain exhibited a
maximum value of 1/9. Spiral grain showed in all cases lower values than the limits adopted by the
American standard ANSI 05.1 (2002) for poles with nominal lengths as the ones corresponding to
Sample 1 and Sample 2. These results are congruent with previous reports of other investigations carried out with timber of this species (Dadswell 1972; Hillis 1978; INTA 1995; Piter et al. 2004a) and
indicate that annual rings and slope of grain can be disregarded for this study. No prohibited defects
were observed and, apart from knots, no other defects exceeding the limits established by the American
standard were found.

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Table 1. Main results for circumference and length

The main results for knot dimensions and knot ratio are presented in Table 2. Maximum sizes permitted by the American standard for any single knot in poles less than 13.7 m long are related to both
the pole class and the location of the knot. For classes H6 to 3 the limits are 80 mm and 130 mm for the
lower and the upper half of length respectively. For classes 4 to 10 the corresponding limits are 50 mm
and 100 mm. Results presented in Table 2 show that no value of K was greater than the limits adopted
by the standard for the upper half of length whereas both limits established for the lower half were
exceeded by the maximum value of K obtained for Sample 1 and the limit of 50 mm was exceeded by
the maximum value measured for Sample 2. Nevertheless, a detailed analysis showed that only 3 poles
of Sample 1 (5 %) and 1 pole of Sample 2 (2 %) exceeded the limit of 50 mm whereas only 1 pole of
Sample 1 (2%) exceeded the limit of 80 mm.
Table 2. Main results for knot dimensions and knot ratio

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This standard also establishes limits for knot ratio and sum of knots which apply to all pole classes
and knot locations. A limit of 0.33 is established for knot ratio expressed as the relation of the greatest
sum of knot in any 0.31 m of the length of the pole and the corresponding average circumference. In
addition, the greatest sum of knot in any 0.31 m of the length of the pole shall not exceed 0.31 m in
any case. The latter limit was easily fulfilled in this case since the maximum value of SuK reached 255
mm for Sample 1 and 207 mm for Sample 2. The former limit was slightly exceeded by the maximum
values. Nevertheless, a detailed analysis showed that only 3 poles of Sample 1 (5 %) and 2 poles of
Sample 2 (4 %) exceeded the limit of 0.33 established for knot ratio in the American standard mentioned above.
The high COV values presented in Table 2 indicate an important spread of results for these variables. No data related to these growth characteristics were previously published for poles of this species
but results corresponding to knot ratio measured on 349 pieces of sawn timber of the same species
were reported by Piter et al. (2004a). The published results, which may be used as reference values for
this case, range from 0.54 to 0.75 for knot ratio expressed according to four different criteria and they
also confirm a very high spread of results for this variable in sawn timber of Argentinean Eucalyptus
grandis.
The main results for mechanical properties are summarised in Table 3 where it is possible to appreciate that mean values were greater for Sample 1 than for Sample 2. F and E presented exactly the same
COV for both samples whereas F b showed a COV slightly lower for Sample 1 than for Sample 2. A
statistical analysis to compare the F mean values of Sample 1 (62.9 N/mm2) and Sample 2 (56.3 N/mm2)
showed that the difference between them is highly significant with an associated probability lower than
0.0005 and similar results were obtained when comparing F b and E mean values corresponding to both
samples. It is important to observe that poles of Sample 1 and Sample 2 were randomly selected from
the sub-populations of the so-called long and standard poles of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis (INTA
1995), respectively, which presented different sizes and age. All specimens were then tested according
to the same reference conditions. Consequently, the significant difference found between strength and
stiffness values corresponding to both sub-populations may be explained by the influence of both pole
sizes and age on the analysed properties.
If the difference between mechanical properties results corresponding to the both sub-populations
mentioned before is ignored and the 105 poles are analysed as a whole sample, mean values of F, F b
and E reach 59.9 N/mm2, 57.9 N/mm2 and 10300 N/mm2, respectively. The corresponding COV values
are 14 %, 15 % and 16 % and the lower 5th percentile reaches 46.1 N/mm2 and 43.4 N/mm2 for F and
F b, respectively. However, considering that for purposes connected with single-pole utility structures
these poles are commonly separated in the two groups mentioned above, technical and economical
reasons account for the convenience of using the results of Sample 1 for the design of long poles and
those of Sample 2 for the design of standard poles. On the one hand, the relatively low spread of results
within each sample in comparison with that corresponding to all specimens is important for achieving
a uniform level of reliability and minimizing the probability of failure, which is the main purpose of
structural design. On the other hand, the relatively high strength and stiffness values found for the long
poles (Sample 1) in comparison with those corresponding to all poles can not be utilised unless the
poles are separated in the two groups mentioned above.

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Table 3. Main results for maximum fibre stress and modulus of elasticity

Table 3 also shows that the results of maximum fibre stress at ground line were only slightly higher
than those at breaking point for Sample 1. The mean and the 5th percentile values of F were 2 % higher
than those corresponding to F b. A detailed analysis showed that 31 poles of this sample (54 %) broke
above the ground line whereas the failure location was coincident with the ground line for the other 26
poles (46 %). The average distance from break to ground line reached 0.44 m for the 57 poles of this
sample.
Results corresponding to Sample 2 show that the mean and the 5th percentile values of F were 5 %
and 8 % higher, respectively, than those corresponding to F b. In this case the detailed analysis exhibited
that 42 poles (87 %) broke above the ground line whereas the failure location was coincident with the
ground line for the other 6 poles (13%). Even though 87 % of the poles broke above ground line in this
sample, the average distance from break to ground line reached 0.47 m which is only slightly higher
than that found for Sample 1. Since poles of Sample 2 presented lower taper than those of Sample 1, as
it was expressed before, a large taper (Wolfe and Kluge 2005) could not have caused the relatively high
number of failures above ground line (87 %) found in Sample 2. Nevertheless, the similarity found between F and F b accounts for the convenience of considering the strength at ground line for calculating
the load-carrying capability of this material for practical purposes, in line with the criterion adopted by
the American standard ANSI 05.1 (2002).
Even though the poles were tested in unseasoned condition, the mean values of F are higher than
those found by Piter et al. (2004a) for strength of seasoned sawn timber of the same species tested in
bending according to the European standard EN 408 (1996). This paper reports mean values ranging
from 40.3 N/mm2 to 53.6 N/mm2 for bending strength obtained on four samples of beams with different
structural sizes. The fact that poles were tested in natural form and longitudinal fibres were not cut as
in sawn timber may explain the difference found between strength values corresponding to green poles and seasoned sawn timber of the same species (Winter 1995). The American standard ANSI 05.1c
(2004) publishes ground line strength mean values for new, green, untreated poles less than 15.2 m
long of 13 species which are provided for use with reliability-based design procedures. These data were
obtained from cantilever bending tests carried out on full-size pole samples and assuming established
values for pole circumference and linear pole taper rather than actual pole dimensions. The published
strength mean values, which were calculated with modulus of rupture results, range from 28.3 N/mm2
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to 70.3 N/mm2 with COV values ranging from 12 % to 21 %. The mean values obtained in this research
for the maximum fibre stress at ground line (62.9 N/mm2 and 56.3 N/mm2) compare well with those
published by the standard. COV values presented in Table 3 give evidence of a relatively low dispersion of the strength data obtained in this research in comparison with those published by the standard.
Since the characteristic strength is based on the 5th percentile value, which is presented in Table 3, this
relatively low spread of data represents a clear advantage of this material for structural purposes.
Modulus of elasticity exhibited a similar COV to that found for strength (Table 3). Contrarily to
strength, this mechanical property did not show higher values than those published in the paper mentioned above (Piter et al. 2004a). The mean values reported in this paper for the four samples mentioned
before range between 10900 N/mm2 and 12700 N/mm2. The American standard ANSI 05.1c (2004)
also publishes modulus of elasticity values for new, green, untreated poles less than 15.2 m long of 13
species. The published mean values range from 9930 N/mm2 to 23100 N/mm2 with COV values ranging from 19 % to 25 %. The mean values found in this research for modulus of elasticity (10935 N/
mm2 and 9546 N/mm2) are similar to the lower mean value adopted by the standard but this property
exhibited lower COV values in the present study (14 %) than those adopted by the standard.
A statistical analysis with the results of both samples showed a very poor correlation between knot
ratio, expressed according to SuKR, and strength. The relationship between SuKR and F is presented
in figures 2 and 3 for Sample 1 and 2 respectively. An insignificant correlation coefficient of 0.09 was
found between these variables for Sample 1 whereas the corresponding value for Sample 2 reached
0.02. These values show that knot ratio, expressed according to SuKR, may not be considered for explaining the strength variability and similar results were found for the correlation between knot ratio
and modulus of elasticity.

Figure 2. Relationship between SuKR and F for Sample 1

F: maximum fibre stress at ground line; SuKR: relation of the greatest sum of knot in any 0.31 m of
the length of the pole and the average circumference of the same 0.31 m section; correlation coefficient:
0.09; linear regression equation: F = 6.9912 SuKR + 61.658

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Figure 3. Relationship between SuKR and F for Sample 2

F: maximum fibre stress at ground line; SuKR: relation of the greatest sum of knot in any 0.31 m of
the length of the pole and the average circumference of the same 0.31 m section; correlation coefficient:
0.02; linear regression equation: F = 1.9917 SuKR + 55.943
Wang and Bodig (1991) report a poor effect of maximum single knot on pole strength. According
to this paper, the maximum sum of knots in any 0.31 m interval plays a more significant role in controlling pole strength but this role depends on distance and size of neighbouring knots because these
two variables define the superposition of stresses around knots. A detailed analysis showed that only 3
poles of Sample 1 (5 %) and 4 poles of Sample 2 (8 %) presented knots separated 100 mm or less. The
analysis also showed that these neighbouring knots in any case were greater than 50 mm. A comparison
of these results with data published in the paper mentioned above confirms that knot interaction and
the consequent superposition of stresses may be disregarded in this case. The results of this detailed
analysis are congruent with the insignificant correlation found between SuKR and F (figures 2 and 3).
A relatively modest relationship between knot ratio and bending strength was obtained for seasoned
sawn timber of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis in the research mentioned above (Piter et al. 2004a)
which reports correlation coefficients ranging from 0.3 to 0.33 for knot ratio expressed according to
four different criteria.
Even though knot ratio is considered a visual feature for strength grading this material and limits for
knot sizes are established in the standard ANSI 05.1 (2002), the negligible correlation between mechanical properties and knot ratio obtained in this research suggests that the adoption of stringent quality
requirements for poles of this species is not convenient where knots are concerned and that this growth
characteristic may be disregarded as a visual parameter for strength grading these poles.
Figure 4 displays the relationship between E and F for Sample 1. Since the correlation coefficient
reached 0.52, E explains approximately 27 % of the variability of F. The relation found for these 57
green poles is lower than that reported by Piter et al. (2004b) for seasoned sawn timber of the same
species. This paper informs a correlation coefficient of 0.81 between bending strength and global modulus of elasticity for 255 structural-sized specimens subjected to bending according to the European
standard EN 408 (1996).

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Figure 4. Relationship between E and F for Sample 1

F: maximum fibre stress at ground line; E: modulus of elasticity; correlation coefficient: 0.52; linear
regression equation: F = 0.0027 E + 33.918
The relationship between E and F corresponding to the 48 green poles of Sample 2 is displayed in
Figure 5, where it is possible to appreciate a lower correlation between both variables than that found
for Sample 1. Since the correlation coefficient reached 0.37, E explains approximately 14 % of the
variability of F in this case.
Even though only a modest correlation between E and F was found for Sample 2, the results obtained for Sample 1 and the very good correlation between strength and stiffness reported for seasoned
sawn timber of this species (Piter et al. 2004b) encourage further studies aimed at exploring the relationship between E and F on the base of a larger number of test than those made in this research. The
knowledge of this relationship is also important for studying the possibility of strength grading this
material by employing non-destructive methods for determining the modulus of elasticity (Glos 1995;
Grlacher 1984).

Figure 5. Relationship between E and F for Sample 2

F: maximum fibre stress at ground line; E: modulus of elasticity; correlation coefficient: 0.37; linear
regression equation: F = 0.0021 E + 36.659

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CONCLUSIONS
Two test samples containing new, green, untreated poles of Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis with
nominal lengths of 12 m and 8 m, respectively, were tested in bending according to the procedures
established in the American standard ASTM D 1036 (2005) and the Argentinean standard IRAM 9529
(2004) for the cantilever test method. Values obtained for the average circumference taper per 0.31 m
of length were similar to those adopted by the American standard ANSI 05.1 (2002) and results found
for knot size and knot ratio compare well with those permitted by this American standard. Mean values
of both maximum fibre stress and modulus of elasticity were higher for the poles with nominal length
of 12 m than for those of 8 m. A statistical analysis showed a significant difference between mechanical property results corresponding to both groups of poles which differed in sizes and age. Results
also showed the convenience of using the values corresponding to each group for achieving a more
reliable and economical structural design of utility poles. The similarity found between maximum fibre
stress at ground line and at breaking point accounts for the convenience of considering the strength at
ground line for calculating the load-carrying capability of this material for practical purposes. Mean
values of maximum fibre stress at ground line were greater than strength values reported for seasoned
sawn timber of the same species and they compare well with those published by ANSI 05.1c (2004)
for poles of different species but the relatively low spread of strength results found in this research in
comparison with that adopted by this standard represents a clear advantage of the tested material for
structural purposes. Contrarily to strength, mean values found for modulus of elasticity were similar to
the lower mean values reported for seasoned sawn timber of the same species and also similar to the
lower mean values adopted by the American standard. A negligible relationship between knot ratio and
mechanical properties was found. Consequently, the adoption of stringent quality requirements related
to knots does not appear to be convenient for these poles and knot ratio may be disregarded as a visual
parameter for strength grading this material. The correlation found between modulus of elasticity and
strength in both samples encourages further studies regarding the analysis of the relationship between
both mechanical properties on a larger statistical base than that adopted in this research.

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